Page 167 of Lady of Ashes

“These meetings are for the Royals and their Courts. Not childhood friends,” Talwyn said, moving forward to take a seat at the other end of the table.

“He is part of my Court,” Scarlett answered with a shrug, hopping down from the table. She threw a wink at the male before moving to take her seat.

“A Witch is part of your Court? That is not how things are done,” Talwyn replied tightly.

That wicked smile only curved up more. “I am sure you’ve come to realize I am rather unconventional. And seeing as I am not Fae, but Avonleyan, it only seemed ?tting to have a half-Avonleyan in my Court.” She reached for a pitcher of water, but Cyrus was already pouring her a glass. “Of course, seeing as you have your own Second with Avonleyan blood in his veins, you can understand where I am coming from.”

Talwyn’s ?ngers dug into the table from where she’d placed them both ?at on the table before her. How the fuck were there Avonleyans popping up everywhere all of the sudden?

“Is he your Second then?” Talwyn asked through gritted teeth.

“No. That is still my husband … The king,” she added with a nod at Sorin, who had taken his seat beside her.

“Your Third?”

“That is Briar.”

“Then what is he doing here?”

“Cassius is the Hand to the Queen,” Sorin cut in before Scarlett could reply.

“Any other questions you need answered before we move on to my agenda this afternoon?” Scarlett asked.

“Why don’t you start, and we will go from there,” Talwyn managed to grit out, sitting back in her chair. She took a deep breath, getting herself under control. There was no way she was going to let this meeting end like the last one. No way anyone was going to see her as anything other than the Fae Queen they’d known for decades.

Scarlett stood, pulling four objects from her pocket. Three she plunked down onto the table, the fourth she tossed to Prince Briar.

“Pass that down to Princess Ashtine if you would please, Prince.”

Talwyn watched him pass a necklace, a spirit amulet from the looks of it, down the table until Ashtine’s Second, Ermir, placed it into her hands.

“You found another?” Ashtine asked, taking the necklace. Her eyes lifted to Scarlett, surprise and question ?lling them.

“I have found two others,” Scarlett answered, gesturing to the three items that rested in front of her.

“Interesting,” Ashtine murmured, her attention returning to the necklace.

“Why are we playing with spirit amulets?” Talwyn asked.

Scarlett had sat back casually in her chair, her eyes settling onto Talwyn. And Talwyn braced herself, because she could tell by the look in her eyes that what she was about to say was going to tip her back over an edge.

“I believe they are four of the Avonleyan Keys.”

Talwyn blinked slowly at her. That was the only movement she made as she stared back at Scarlett. She could feel Azrael watching her.

“Why do you believe these to be the keys?” Azrael asked for her.

“I have my reasons and theories, but so far, they are proving to be accurate,” Scarlett answered.

“How long have you had these?” Talwyn demanded.

“Depends on which one you’re referencing,” Scarlett replied too sweetly.

“Why am I only learning about them now?” Talwyn tried again.

“I had debated telling you during our last little meeting, but then you threw one of the best Fae temper tantrums I’ve seen yet,” Scarlett replied. She turned to Sorin, her head propping on her ?st. “Did you take notes on how to improve your next one, Prince?”

Sawyer choked on his water down the table as he suppressed a laugh.

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